Gene (BikingBis) recently posted his trip along the Tolt Pipeline Trail that he took last week.

Ironically enough, I did a similar ride this past Saturday, but went a bit further. So now I’m inspired to post my details so that anyone interested knows what to do.

The King county website describes the Tolt pipeline trail as:

“The Tolt Pipeline Trail is popular with off-road bicyclists, equestrians, and hikers who like the trail’s straight, east-west alignment, varied terrain, and rustic ambiance. Starting near the Sammamish River Trail and Blyth Park in Bothell, the trail traverses King County’s eastside cities and suburban neighborhoods, rural towns, and natural areas. Along the way, the route crosses Norway Hill, Woodinville’s wineries and breweries, equestrian estates in Hollywood Hills, Avondale, Bear Creek, Trilogy, and the Snohomish River before reaching Big Rock Road near Duvall.”

Gene has a great description (and pictures) of the Tolt. The only thing I’d add, is that you only cover about 8 miles from the baseball fields off of Sammamish River Trail to the end near W. Snoqualmie Valley Rd. I’ll pick up from there.

At the end of the hill there’s a small trail to the right, which goes onto 133rd. At this point 133rd looks like a driveway for the homes there, but it is indeed a street. Head down slowly since it’s very steep and curvy. This will drop you down to W. Snoqualmie Valley Road. Note that where 133rd and W. Snoqualmie Valley Road intersect, feels a lot like a driveway off the road, so take care to watch for traffic (no stop signs or anything). W. Snoqualmie Valley Road has a pretty small shoulder, but it’s a fairly low traffic road. Take a right and head South for about a half a mile or so to the stop light which is NE 124th. Left on NE 124th for about a mile to connect up with the trail by the round-about that connects to Hwy 203 (124th has a much better shoulder).

Now that you’re on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail[king county page], it’s pretty easy cruising through Fall City. There is some great scenery to take in, and a great benefit of the SVT is that it is mostly covered in shade (I experienced this both in the morning and late afternoon coming back) and with railroad grade you won’t be needing to worry about steep grades.

I ended up packing my 100oz camelback, and I took 2 24oz water bottles and a bunch of food. I didn’t go off trail in Carnation, but I’d imagine they must have a gas station of some sort that you could refuel up if you needed to.

The only bummer about the SVT is you need to take a detour once you hit Tokul road (note where the railroad tracks meet up with Tokul road). There are two alternates you can take to get back onto the trail. I took the one that takes you from Tokui Rd -> 53rd -> 396th. This detour is only about 2 miles, but there’s a serious drawback. It’s a windy road (posted 45mph if i recall correctly) and absolutely zero shoulder. Take this into account if you are thinking of taking kids or a trailer (I don’t know if the other detour is any better. I didn’t write it down so I didn’t take it coming back). Another thing to note is that this particular detour is sort of hilly, which is to say you’ll have a great downhill going into North Bend, and a fun uphill when you come back.

The SVT ends at the Tokui tunnel (you’ll notice that after the tunnel there’s some single track type trail that continues on. Don’t try it as it’ll end in a no trespassing sign about 200 yards after the tunnel). On either side of the tunnel are paths to get you up to Tokui Rd. For my detour, you take a left. Tokui just sorta turns into 53rd, which just sorta turns into 396th so it’s fairly easy. The trail picks back up via a bridge that you have to take the stairs to get up to. The trail literally starts/ends on this bridge, so you really can’t miss it.

From now on it’s clear sailing (road free that is) till you get to the Snoqualmie Tunnel on the John Wayne Trail. You’ll cruise through a golf course, through North Bend and under I-90 towards Cedar Falls and Iron Horse state park. North Bend has another gas station if you head into town on the first intersection (I believe it’s Main street). There’s sort of a parking lot/park there, and some historical signage about the old railroad. Just head a couple blocks into town and a 76 station is right there.

At Cedar falls, there is adequate signage to get you on to the John Wayne Trail (I believe the signs say Iron Horse Trail). From here it is 18 miles to the tunnel. Even further is the Columbia River, Spokane, Idaho, and Montana via the Trail of the Cour d’Alenes.

Getting up to the tunnel is a pretty straight-forward event. Just head up the trail. It’s railroad grade, so very gradual incline, across a few tressels and you’re at the tunnel. At this point you’ve ridden about 60 miles. You can turn around and backtrack the whole way, or go through the tunnel (you will need lights) and get picked up at Hyak.

New Belgium’s Tour de Fat is happening this weekend down at Gas Works Park.

This is a pro-bike celebration, not an anti-car rally…non-cyclists are more than welcome to join the festivities.

Schedule:
9:00 a.m. - Bike Parade Registration
10:00 a.m. - Bike Parade
11:30 a.m. - “Slow-Down or Throw-Down” Slow-Ride Competition
12:00 p.m. - Performances Begin
1:30 p.m. - “Carpocalypse Now” – Funeral procession for the car belonging to the Car-for-Bike Trade volunteer
3:30 p.m. – Car-for-Bike Trade Celebration
4:00 p.m. - Curtain Closes

Music by Paper Bird, MarchFourth Marching Band, Nanda and The Sprockettes.

I was out on a group workout Wednesday morning near Magnuson Park and was shown this really cool trick with these white T’s at certain intersections.

Basically, you put your bike tire right on the T and it’ll change the intersection light in your favor within a few seconds. Pretty nifty.

These aren’t everywhere, and I have yet to find hardly any info on them on Seattle.gov. I tried emailing for verification, but I did test it out on the intersection to the left and it worked.

In this day and age, hybrid/electric cars are becoming more prevalent for commuters (and rightly so). However it appears as though there’s an interesting side effect for cyclists (and pedestrians for that matter).

Let me setup the scene.

I was riding along the Burke the other morning, crossing on 40th Ave NE (near Metropolitan Market). As I approached the crossing, I looked left and right and saw/heard no cars approaching. I slowed down to something a little faster than a cheater trackstand, and looked left and right once more before entering the intersection.

I have a habit of doing another sanity check when I’m in the intersection, more so that if something is indeed coming, I’ll at least be aware of it then.

Guess what was on my left? A Toyota Prius, about 40ft. away. Going slow enough that the motor was off (but fast enough to not want to encounter on a bike).

It wasn’t a close call by any means, but it definitely made me ponder that relying too heavily on the audible sounds of a motor vehicle may not be as good of a safe passage indicator as it was in the pre-hybrid days.

Anyway, I figure I should post in case anyone else hasn’t made this connection yet. Especially if you’re in an environment with lots of hybrid/electric cars.

The trail work up on the north end of the BGT is looking to be nearing completion. On my ride home Friday, the 73rd street underpass was open, meaning the detour around Super Supplements to the side street isn’t needed anymore.

They’re not completely done, so you do have to exit the trail just before 80th near the Trailwalk Condos (about where Kenmore lanes is).

It’s a nice addition to have, and the trail there is smooth like butter. Go enjoy it while it’s fresh.

If you’re looking for something to do this Saturday, why not take part in the “Little 100″ out at the Marymoor Velodrome.

For more details about the race check out the race website http://www.alkirubiconracing.com/little100/little100frame.html or the race flyer

Calling all racers,
We are in need of teams for both the Men’s and Women’s races at the Little 100, which takes place this next Saturday, June 14th (1:00-6:00pm).

The “Podium Girls Gone Wild,” winners of the Women’s title for the past 4 years, are not going to be at the Little 100 this year, and we haven’t gotten confirmation from last years Men’s winner, “The Lifeguards,” that they are going to be on hand. So now is your opportunity to step up and snatch the coveted Little 100 trophy as well as some great merchendise.

Also, don’t forget that we have a Coed cruiser event for racers/friends/family, which is open to all comers.

To sign up, send your list of 4 team members and your team name to alkirubiconinfo@alkirubiconracing.com (if you don’t have a team, let us know and we can pair you up with other riders)

Just saw that a cyclist got mugged in the I-90 tunnel the other day. Glad he’s ok, and only had a minor scuffle with 3 teens.

The recent mugging of a man who was riding his bicycle through the Interstate 90 Mount Baker Tunnel has prompted police and the Cascade Bicycle Club to urge bicyclists to always be aware of their surroundings and travel with others.

Bob Cornwell was pedalling home from work through the Mount Baker Tunnel last week when he was attacked by three teenagers who knocked him off his bike, slammed him against a wall and stole his wallet, money and bike bag.

from the Seattle Times

This Friday, May 16 is National Bike to Work day. Locally, Cascade Bicycle Club is organizing the event with commut stations, free give aways, and classes and training.

It’s the one day of the year when tens of thousands of ordinary folks are motivated to leave their cars at home and hop on a bike instead.

With our community’s concern for the environment and gas prices on the rise, biking to work is an easy way to make a difference. Even if you are not a regular commuter, join us this Friday for Starbucks Bike to Work Day. We’ve even got a special workshop on Tuesday night to answer those burning questions from new commuters.

So come on Seattle! Let’s show our families, neighbors, co-workers, politicians, business leaders and the media that WE LOVE BIKES!

Ride in from the north, south, east or west! We’ve got 42 commute stations ready to treat you right this Friday. Bike to Work Day T-shirts are will be on sale for $12!

update:So, the Seattle Times has posted a follow up with some interesting stats and info. Biking Bis has found that 23,000 people rode to work yesterday. I took my usual btw morning ride, but saw plenty on the Burke on the way home.

This Friday, May 16 is National Bike to Work day. Locally, Cascade Bicycle Club is organizing the event with commut stations, free give aways, and classes and training.

It’s the one day of the year when tens of thousands of ordinary folks are motivated to leave their cars at home and hop on a bike instead.

With our community’s concern for the environment and gas prices on the rise, biking to work is an easy way to make a difference. Even if you are not a regular commuter, join us this Friday for Starbucks Bike to Work Day. We’ve even got a special workshop on Tuesday night to answer those burning questions from new commuters.

So come on Seattle! Let’s show our families, neighbors, co-workers, politicians, business leaders and the media that WE LOVE BIKES!

Ride in from the north, south, east or west! We’ve got 42 commute stations ready to treat you right this Friday. Bike to Work Day T-shirts are will be on sale for $12!

The annual Ride of Silence is happening on Wednesday May 21st. Local details as follows:

Contact: Gary Strauss
Distance: 10-12 miles
Notes: This Annual Ride begins at 6:30 p.m.in Gasworks Park and progresses through the U. District, Downtown Seattle and Queen Anne. Arrive no later than 6:10 p.m. to get into line. Volunteers welcome to help before or during the ROS at the start and along the route. Contact Gary Strauss for more information.

From the Ride of Silence website:

A little history of this ride and how it came to be….

The 2003 Ride of Silence™ at White Rock Lake in Dallas drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and email communication over a period of only ten days. There was no registration, no fees, no t-shirt. Local media reported the ride to be incredibly moving as these cyclists rode in silence, occasionally wiping away a tear or patting a friend on the back.

Chris Phelan, a friend of Mr. Schwartz and the person responsible for starting this initiative, thought the ride was a one-time event. However, as word got out other cyclists began to contact him with a desire to do the same thing in their own communities.

The annual Ride of Silence is happening on Wednesday May 21st. Local details as follows:

Contact: Gary Strauss
Distance: 10-12 miles
Notes: This Annual Ride begins at 6:30 p.m.in Gasworks Park and progresses through the U. District, Downtown Seattle and Queen Anne. Arrive no later than 6:10 p.m. to get into line. Volunteers welcome to help before or during the ROS at the start and along the route. Contact Gary Strauss for more information.

From the Ride of Silence website:

A little history of this ride and how it came to be….

The 2003 Ride of Silence™ at White Rock Lake in Dallas drew 1,000 cyclists through word of mouth and email communication over a period of only ten days. There was no registration, no fees, no t-shirt. Local media reported the ride to be incredibly moving as these cyclists rode in silence, occasionally wiping away a tear or patting a friend on the back.

Chris Phelan, a friend of Mr. Schwartz and the person responsible for starting this initiative, thought the ride was a one-time event. However, as word got out other cyclists began to contact him with a desire to do the same thing in their own communities.